Tag Archives: Michael Talbot

First off, I want to thank my apprenticeship teacher for recommending this fine book as part of her curriculum, “Elemental Witchcraft”.

This became an indispensable book for me, even after my training was done. It was also a book that helped me to open my eyes even further, to the realities around the area of magic, and the use of our given mental powers to effectuate changes. During the progression of this “Age of Reason”, just about anything that deviated from the held societal view that there is only the physical existence and nothing else, was cast off as “make-believe” and purely fantasy – all because it could not all be reduced to “scientific theory” and reproduced, faithfully and consistently, in a laboratory. Well, time for the nay-sayers to start rethinking their less-than-reasonable assumptions concerning those things that are not so easily reproducible under closed, unbelieving eyes!

I have always considered myself to be of a scientific mind. The subject of Science was always my most favored and best subject in school, since at least the second grade. I have had several major influences in my life, of whom I highly respected and admired; mostly – several of my teachers, and of folks like Issac Asimov, Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein, etc. Virtually NONE of them were so willing to dismiss something or anything that did not quite fit into the “mold” of scientific thinking, let alone yield readily available, analytic data and consistent repetition. So what has happened to today’s scientists and their practice of science? That I can reasonably conclude in another written piece.

Anyway, onward to the review.

First thing I would like to consider about this book: It was a very easy-to-follow and educational read. It was a definite eye-opener in that much of what was stated was backed up by source-able examples of various experiments and evaluations as footnoted in its pages, and documented in the list of sources in the back of the book. This book did well to explain where science actually does prove that there are things and happenings that DO happen without being obvious and sometimes even physically-manifested into physical existence. One such means is through Quantum Theory and its associated theories and plethora of supportive examples. This book could easily be read within a few days by an avid reader (like myself), and understood as to what it all means. The title was very apropos toward what the book is about: That much of what we thought was purely the rational and logical (sequential), is more likely holographic and ever-expansive as concerning the Universe, and all things within it. This in regard to the fact that the Quantum Physics theories are among the newest questions, and proposed answers, in the field of science. Many of today’s theoretical scientists are still trying to come to terms as to how Quantum Physics changes the way we think about existence and all things considered.

Quantum Entanglement Theory was well-explained, probably better than I could explain it, even though I have a very good understanding of it. Quantum Entanglement also answers many of the formerly-unanswerable questions on such things as what happens when one observes a particle of matter, and what happens otherwise. This, taken together with the “Observer Effect”, leads to a very chilling surprise on whether our current methods and orthodoxy on observing and measuring particles, particle dynamics and effects, as well as habits are effective or not when it comes to giving us clear, accurate answers and observations on what goes on – both as observed and as not actively observed. This also brings into question as to whether certain particles exist because of their reality, or because we subconsciously “create” them, instantaneously with the power of our “observant” minds. This part of theory has been tested and measured in laboratory conditions to the amazement of the observers. Again, sources cited on those very experiments and evaluations.

The “Holographic Theory” is well-explained and, in some cases, diagrammed with accompanying drawings and sketches. It proposes that we live a “holographic” existence, rather than purely a singular, physical-only entity – on the basis that all matter, down to its particulate level, may exist in multiple dimensions (thought of as multiple-universes or “multiversal” in nature) at once. A given particle, for example, could exist momentarily in one or more points in space simultaneously, and perhaps only for a very brief moment (the moment it is being actively observed by either a living being or even an artificial machine)! So, most matter appears to only exist because WE mentally create them, as a function of our existence. This also goes well with the ancient description of the “Web of Life” idea that many wise-folk taught their newer generations for thousands of years – well before the advent “modern science”.

Though Mr. Talbot was not dogmatic nor doctrinal towards any specific religion or belief system, he did a very good job in seeing and writing of the associated ideas and beliefs as they converged to where we have an even-greater difficulty in separating science from spirituality. I have long held that science and spirituality were always together as part of the common discipline of “higher learning”. One who was a shaman or “medicine man” was not only a healer and seer, but also a bit of a mathematician, historian, story-teller, mediator, counselor, priest, warrior, astronomer, astrologer, and holder of many different areas of expertise in knowledge and tradition. All paths of knowledge were part and parcel of the life-long teachings that went into the making of a “wise-folk”. The Quantum Theories came about in the right time, and do much justice in supporting, although through a bit different colored-lens, some of the vast knowledge mankind has possessed.

For this being such a short review, I hope it explains well that this book should be a good reference and an appealing read. It helped to me begin my journey into the magical art, backed up with some legitimate science. This book is a very nice, easy read that provides some very good detailed information, topped with an astonishing conclusion.